Description
A combined tower house and hall, now a
well preserved ruin, situated on top of a ridge at
the head of Kilmartin valley. It was built by John
Carswell, Bishop of the Isles between 1565 and 1572
and was partly remodelled in the late 17th c. An
earlier Castle or defence is suggested by a wall
line surrounding a promontory to the north of the
present structure.

Exterior

The building consists of a five storey tower
with parapet, three storey hall and four storey
stair tower. The construction is lime-mortared
random rubble and it was originally harled.
Architectural details to note are corbelled angle
turrets on the tower, carved water spouts and
various horizontal gunports and vertical pistol
loops. There is also an elaborately carved
architectural frame above a doorway in the E wall
of the staircase tower which incorporates a shield
with the arms of Archibald Campbell 5th Earl of
Argyll and his wife Jean Stewart, daughter of King
James V.

Interior

The building had a vaulted service basement
which included the kitchen, where an arched
fireplace, oven and water inlet (carved as an open
mouthed face) can be seen. The floors above had
joisted wooden ceilings supported on runner-beams
and corbels. Most of the upper chambers had their
own garderobe. Architectural details to note
include various doorways and fireplaces with
moulded surrounds in the upper floors of the tower
and hall.

Access/Ownership
The site is owned by Historic Scotland and is open
to the public.